Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday lauded the people of Kerala as embodying the “true spirit of India,” highlighting the state’s traditions of free expression, education, equality, and compassion.

Speaking at a public rally in Chirayinkeezhu, Gandhi said, “This is a land of revolutionary thinkers like Narayan Guruji. He inspired Mahatma Gandhi, and many of these traditions free expression, good education, equality, love and compassion continue to live on today. I have no hesitation in saying that the spirit of Kerala is the true spirit of India.”

Addressing the West Asia conflict, she criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for skipping an all-party meeting, calling it a sign that he did not consider the discussion important. “It was a very important discussion that had to take place, but he chose not to be there. He clearly thinks it is not important enough,” she told ANI.

Gandhi also took aim at both the central and state governments for neglecting public welfare. She accused the Modi government of compromising India’s sovereignty and prioritising foreign powers over the people. “The policies of the Modi government are doing nothing for our citizens. He has bowed before Israel and the US, handing over our energy security and dictating who we can buy from and when,” she said.

In a sharp personal attack, she labelled the Prime Minister a “coward,” alleging, “Modi does not have the courage to stand up for India. The people pay the price every day for his decisions. We are paying because his name is in some Epstein files.”

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Gandhi also criticised the Kerala Left Democratic Front (LDF), accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s government of being “the B-team of Narendra Modi.” She cited instances such as the Sabarimala Temple gold heist, where she claimed the Prime Minister remained silent. “The Left and BJP are corrupt corporate parties that have been in power for too long,” she said.

Calling for change, Gandhi emphasised the need for a new government in Kerala. “As an MP from Kerala, I see so many opportunities wasted every day. The current state government is negligent. A new government is necessary to remind leadership of their responsibility to the people,” she said.

Gandhi highlighted the struggles of the Malayali diaspora in West Asia, nurses facing low wages, and sectors such as tea, coffee, banana, and dairy grappling with rising prices and inadequate government support. She also referenced protests by ASHA and Anganwadi workers, claiming their voices were ignored until elections approached.

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The comments come ahead of the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections, scheduled for 9 April, with counting on 4 May and the current assembly’s tenure ending on 23 May.

Earlier on Thursday, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) unveiled its election manifesto, promising welfare and development initiatives across the state. Key highlights include:

  • Free bus travel for women across Kerala.
  • Increased welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 per month.
  • Financial support of Rs 1,000 per month for college-going girls.
  • Insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh for families.
  • Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY): Rs 6,000 monthly for families below the poverty line.
  • Support for farmers: Rubber at Rs 250/kg and paddy at Rs 35/kg.
  • Housing reforms: Homes for all eligible individuals and addressing defects in the Life Mission project.
  • Healthcare: Improved Karunya Insurance scheme and dialysis centres in all Panchayats.
  • Education: International-standard higher education through foreign collaborations.
  • Employment: Skill development programmes aiming to provide jobs to five lakh youth in five years.
  • Consumer protection: Measures to control essential goods prices.
  • Fisheries support: Sea relief and housing projects.
  • Women’s empowerment: Expanded self-employment loans via Kudumbashree, stricter safety laws, and free monthly kits for AAY cardholders.

The UDF candidate for Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency is Ramya Haridas, former MP from Alathur, who will contest against CPI’s Manoj B Edamana and BJP’s B S Anoop.